Officers sought for Brunswick Hills Police Department

Brunswick Hills Township trustees have hired a part-time police officer and are planning to add as many as three more.

Township Police Chief Sharon MacKay said she asked for the part-time officers to bolster the force going into summer.

MacKay said the township now has nine full-time officers — one fewer than authorized by the township.

She said one full-time officer left earlier this month who had replaced another full-time officer who retired earlier this year.

But instead of asking for an immediate full-time replacement, MacKay requested the trustees hire part-timers.

“We haven’t had a part-timer in a number of years,” she said. “This will give us the flexibility to do a number of things,” such as traffic patrols targeted to specific problem areas and some bicycle patrols.

MacKay said she hopes to fill the open full-time position “down the road,” but said summer is the time when the department needs more help.

“I wanted to make sure that we have enough coverage to answer all the calls for service,” she said.

The trustees considered four applications for the job during a closed executive session Friday morning. After reopening the meeting to the public, the board voted to hire Thomas G. Kanzig, 33, of Eastlake.

MacKay said Kanzig had been a full-time sheriff’s deputy in Cuyahoga County before moving to Florida, where he served as a sheriff’s deputy.

“He’s got quite a bit of experience,” she aid.

Kanzig will be paid $20 an hour, up to a maximum of 28 hours a week, the chief said.

Christina Kusnerak, chairwoman of the board of trustees, said the township’s 2013 budget has funds to hire as many as four part-time officers.

Asked when the board will resume the search for the other new officers, Kusnerak answered, “Immediately.”